14 July: fyi -- databases, Dublin

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University College Dublin

Urban Institute Ireland
GIS / Data Specialist
One Temporary (2 year) Post

Post Administrator:
Marcellina Kenny

E-mail:
Personnel@ucd.ie

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Urban Institute Ireland

Urban Institute Ireland, created under the leadership of University
College, Dublin (UCD) in partnership with Trinity College Dublin (TCD)
and the collaboration of other third level institutions facilitates
interdisciplinary research across a broad range of programme areas. A
key element of the Institute is URBIS, an urban information system,
that will permit researchers access to an array of spatially
referenced urban information. Applications are now sought for a
two-year contract post in Urban Institute Ireland. Reporting to the
Director and located within URBIS, the successful applicant will
provide practical advice on the access and manipulation of the
datasets located in URBIS. The candidate should have attained a
relevant 3rd level qualification and have at least 2 years
satisfactory geographical information systems' experience, including
some of the following: database development and support experience,
GIS software applications, digital mapping, Web technologies, Windows
NT, AutoCadMap, Microstation and SPSS as well as standard
wordprocessing, spreadsheet and database programs. In addition, the
person will liaise with the Library and Computing Services within UCD
as well as with the data providers and other bodies associated with
the Institute. S/he will be expected to play an important role in
advising the Director and Board about the development of the URBIS
resource. Further particulars can be obtained at
www.urbaninstitute.net. Informal enquires are welcomed prior to
application and may be addressed to Dr. Joe Brady, Dept. of
Geography, UCD, Belfield, D4. Tel: 01-716 8484; email:
joe.brady@ucd.ie


Salary Scales

40,000 euro p.a.




Prior to application, further information (including application
procedure) should be obtained from our website www.ucd.ie/vacancies or
requests (quoting reference) on postcard to: Personnel Department,
University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4 or by fax (01) 2692472.



Closing date for receipt of applications is no later than noon

Thursday, 1 August 2002.

Please note that applications received after this time will not
be considered.


Job Description

Background

The Urban Institute has been created under the

leadership of University College, Dublin (UCD) in partnership with
Trinity College Dublin (TCD) and the collaboration of other third
level institutions. Its mission is to undertake interdisciplinary
research across a broad range of programme areas, including: mobility;
fabric and urban evolution; building performance and sustainability;
change and development; governance and risk management. The
disciplines involved include architecture, economics, engineering,
geography, planning, sociology, urban sociology. A key objective of
the Urban Institute is to provide a focal point in Europe for research
in urban studies, and to engage the interest and activity of leading
scholars. Ireland has the fastest growing cities in Europe, and Dublin
is particularly notable in that regard. A purpose built facility is
currently under construction on the Richview Campus in Clonskeagh,
adjacent to the main UCD Belfield Campus. The building is due to be
completed in October 2002.

URBIS (Urban Information System)


The Ordnance Survey of Ireland has led the digitisation of its maps,
and this increasingly characterises spatially referenced data that
comes from a variety of official and other sources. In partnership
with the Central Statistics Office (CSO), the Ordnance Survey of
Ireland (OSi) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Urban
Institute is to develop an urban information system that will permit
researchers access to an array of spatially referenced urban
information.

Outreach and Teaching


The Urban Institute is to communicate findings to potential users of
information and insight on urban matters in Ireland and abroad,
including such stakeholders as those in the policy process at
European, national and local levels, business, non governmental
organisations and the general public. To this end, a rolling series of
public seminars, workshops, published policy briefs and media events
are envisaged. A web site will be a key element in this process of
communications.

Structure


The Board: Members the board have been
chosen by the President and Provost so as to represent wide and distinguished
experience in government and commerce and in-house academic research expertise
in urban related fields.
The Scientific Council: The Council
comprises the multidisciplinary academic group that led the development of the
proposal, and the initial implementation of the Urban Institute. It advises the
board on academic-related matters. Each research programme area is led by two
members of the Council.
Research Associates: They comprise leading
academics in a number of academic institutions in Ireland who have established a
research agenda in urban related studies. They now number about 85, and they
comprise the group who are invited to submit proposals for post graduate
research funding.
Post Doctoral Fellows: Five post doctoral
fellows will engage in research on Urban Studies with academics and will report
to the Scientific Council via the Director and/or one or more of the Scientific
Council members and will be based in the Urban Institute at UCD.
Urban Institute Scholars: Over 20 Graduate
students (expected to reach a maximum of 35), most of whom are PhD candidates,
are members of the Urban Institute and are undertaking work on Urban related
matters under the supervision of one or more of the Research Associates.
The Core Staff: The Institute's Director,
the Post Doctoral Fellows, the Scholars, an administrative officer, and
professional researchers, GIS Information Specialist and technicians comprise
the core staff of the Institute and will be housed in a custom-designed building
to be completed in 2002. The GIS / Data Specialist will be a member of this core
support group.

Job Specification

The GIS / Data Specialist will be a key member of the Urban Institute
team, providing practical advice on the access and manipulation of the
datasets located in URBIS. In addition, the person will liaise with
the Library and Computing Services within UCD as well as with the data
providers and other bodies associated with the Institute. S/he will
be expected to play an important role in advising the Director and
Board about the development of the URBIS resource. The successful
candidate should have attained a relevant 3rd level qualification and
have at least 2 years satisfactory geographical information systems'
experience, including some of the following:

database development and support experience
GIS software applications
digital mapping
Web technologies
Windows NT
AutoCadMap
Microstation
SPSS
standard wordprocessing, spreadsheet and
database programs

The successful candidate should also possess:

Good interpersonal skills, especially boundary
management skills to facilitate the extensive liaison role inherent in the
post
Good communication skills (both verbal and
written)
Ability to work effectively on own initiative
with minimum supervision
Willingness to work co-operatively as part of
a team and to contribute to the smooth running of the Urban Institute
Ability to plan for the future and to look for
opportunities for improving all services and systems
The successful candidate will answer to the
Director of the Urban Institute.


Further Information

www.urbaninstitute.net
Informal enquires are welcomed prior to
application and may be addressed to Dr. Joe Brady, Dept. of Geography, UCD,
Belfield, D4. Tel: 01-716 8484; email: joe.brady@ucd.ie

Index of July 2002 | Index of year: 2002 | Full index